OBAMA meets with LUDACRIS

[liberalpragmatist]

Obama meets with Ludacris

November 29, 2006
BY DEANNA BELLANDI ASSOCIATED PRESS

U.S. Sen. Barack Obama, contemplating a run for president, met privately Wednesday with rapper Ludacris to talk about young people.

''We talked about empowering the youth,'' said the artist, whose real name is Chris Bridges.

Bridges was in town to launch the YouthAIDS ''Kick Me'' campaign to raise HIV/AIDS awareness during a stop at Northwestern University in the Chicago suburb of Evanston.

The gathering at Obama's downtown Chicago office was a meeting of two star powers: Obama, who enjoys rock star-like status on the political scene, and Ludacris, who has garnered acclaim for his music and acting.

Obama declined to comment after their meeting but walked with Bridges to the elevator as he left.

Bridges said meeting Obama, known for his warm personal style, was like meeting with a relative.

http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/153574,luda112906.article

[jefferson_dem]

1. Dayum! Obama hangs with Ludacris and reaches out to Fundies in the same week!

A Man for all seasons...

[Bucky]

2. I'd happily vote for and support him and sing his praises to all swingable voters

But something in my gut tells me he's a bubble waiting to pop. He seems to have lived his life quite ethically--the one scandal they've been able to pin on him is something less than lame: he bought a stretch of land to move his property line over a couple of yards at a fair market rate from his next door neighbor, who, it turns out, is an unethical lobbyist. Not exactly a junket to the Riviera.

But that said, I get a hunch that he's gonna deflate a little once the game is joined next summer. If not, if he rides the rocket all the way to Denver, I'll happily sign on. But I'd advise against putting all one's eggs in his basket.

[jefferson_dem]

3. True that Obama is riding high right now, mainly on a wave of hope and potential.

That such has been pinned to Obama's chest is not coincidental, however. The guy does exude charisma, charm, and seemingly flawless political acumen. While it's tough to contain giddiness when considering an Obama candidacy, he has not yet been battle tested; hasn't been fully vetted (so to speak). We'll just have to wait and see and what better way to test a man's mettle than to run him through the grinder of a presidential election campaign. My money's on ... OBAMA!

[noahmijo]

4. I could see him in a VP spot he's still young

Within the next 15 years or so I would be proud to cast a vote for the first African American President of The United States though after he's done his time as the number 2 man to someone like Gore or Clark :)

[Radical Activist]

5. One of the most appealing things about Obama

is the excitement he generates in young voters. It would be nice to have a candidate who can increase turnout among the young. They showed up last time but it was all anti-Bush. We'll need someone who can do more to attract their votes next time.